Upgrading the Bathrooms
The newspaper where I work has been playing poor for the past couple of years - positions are left vacant, dire warnings about unauthorized overtime, broken computers replaced with "repaired" computers, etc. Yet for some reason, the restrooms in the building have escaped scrutiny.
They've always been perfectly adequate restroom - -well stocked with soap, paper towels, and so on. But for some reason the company has seen fit to give them all an upgrade. Standard light switches were replaced with motion activated light switches - the lights go on when you open the door, and go off after a few minutes of no activity (don't stay in that stall too long). I suppose there's a savings in electricity usage, so this makes sense.
But now they've replaced all the flush handles on the backs of the toilets and urinals with motion detectors, too. So now it flushes automaticaly when you leave the apparatus - and it goes on flushing for another good 30 seconds, dumping about 40 gallons of water down the drain. Not only does it wipe out that electricity savings, but it trains the user to not flush. And they often detect you when you are arriving and starts flushing beifre you get there.
And last week they replaced all the paper towel dispensers with versions run by motion detectors. You wave your hand in front of it and a sheet rolls out automatically. Right below the dispenser - the counter or floor - a growing pool of water accumulates where people wave their wet hands.
I like the idea of not having to touch anything in the bathroom, but I think things were OK as they were. I suppose I should expect motion detection faucets and toilet paper dispensers next.
11:10:17 AM 
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